"You seem uncomfortable with me," he said with concern.
"It's not like that… it's just my first time stepping into a place like this," I said quietly, sipping my cold drink.
He suddenly held my hand and pulled me outside the club.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Wait…" he said calmly.
I just followed him without any more questions. The area outside was dark and quiet, almost peaceful. After a while, he stopped and pointed ahead.
"See that?"
There was a soft light in the distance a street vendor roasting garma garam bhuni hui mumfali.
He rubbed his hands together and smiled.
"Rainy season means two important things."
He paused dramatically.
"First, bhutta. Second mumfali. Especially at night."
How dramatic this man was still acting like a child sometimes.
We stood there eating together, and deep in my heart, I felt like… maybe I'd found someone I could actually call a friend.
Someone who pushed me to enjoy the little things.
Someone who reminded me to live life openly, freely.
But the truth is… he's my senior.
Even though we're the same age, he's higher in position.
And friendship with a client? It feels… awkward.
I know my colleagues will start questioning me:
"What's your relationship with him?"
How could I even answer that?
Just "nothing"?
But he was a nice
"So, you like it, don't you?" he asked teasingly, lightly touching the corner of my lips.
"Sorry… there was a mumfali chilka," he added with a small smile.
I stayed silent, unsure how to respond.
Just then, my phone rang.
"Hello?" I answered.
"You're coming this week, right?" Babu asked from the other end.
"Hmm…"
"Okay… byee!"
I hung up.
Such an idiot.
He only ever calls to disturb me… or to snap me out of a dream.
"Call from home?" he asked.
I nodded quietly.
I reached into my bag to pay, but before I could, he had already settled the bill.
It was a small moment… but it felt special.
No one ever pays for me except my family or my brother.
I always pay for myself.
I had never really known what it felt like… when someone else does it for you.
It was warm. Unexpected.
"Let's walk," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets.
The road outside was nearly empty. The night was quiet, the breeze wild.
It was a beautiful moment he walked beside me, matching my rhythm.
Not too close, not too far. Just… right.
But somehow, this whole scene felt familiar.
This wind, this silence, this kind of walk
I'd already felt it once.
With Tej.
And now, Mr. Gaurav was reminding me of him.
I kept walking, but deep inside… a part of me wished I was holding Tej's hand.
I missed him.
The atmosphere outside was dark… but somehow romantic.
Streetlights flickered in the distance, and the wind danced wildly around us.
My hands were behind my back, fingers lightly clenched, trying to hold in the chill.
The breeze touched my skin, and I shivered slightly.
He noticed.
Of course, he had already left his jacket back at the club. I didn't expect anything, but for a moment, I saw the flicker of guilt on his face — like he wanted to help but couldn't.
We both stopped walking.
"I can drive you home," he said gently, concern clearly written on his face.
He was tall, and to properly look at me, he had to tilt his head down just a bit.
I stared at him for a second, unsure what to say.
"I can g—" I began.
But he cut me off softly, "It's already late. I'll drive you. Come."
No room for argument.
So I followed him.
We returned to the club's side parking area, where his car was waiting. He opened the door for me like a true gentleman, and I quietly slid into the passenger seat.
The interior smelled expensive leather, cologne, a faint trace of something woodsy.
It was definitely a luxury car. I had never sat in something like this before.
First time… and it felt strange but special. Like a window into a world I'd never stepped into.
The car started, and we were on the road. Silence stretched between us.
I gave him my address, and along the way, I guided softly, "Left… now right."
We reached my building. I opened the door slowly and stepped out.
But I could feel it his eyes.
On me.
On my dress.
On the way my hands gently held the edges of my kurti.
He didn't say anything. Just looked.
"Good night," I said with a faint smile.
"Good night," he replied.
But he didn't leave. Not right away.
He stayed.
Watched.
Waited… until I had safely entered the building.
And even though I didn't look back, I somehow knew he stayed until he was sure I was gone.
I entered the apartment quietly. The silence welcomed me like an old friend.
Without wasting time, I changed out of the fancy dress, slipping into my comfortable pajamas and an oversized T-shirt. It felt like I could finally breathe.
The club…
Honestly, it was boring. The music was loud, the lights too much, the atmosphere overwhelming. I didn't belong there.
But that one moment…
When we stopped by the roadside and ate garma garam mumfali under the soft streetlight…
That moment
That was precious.
Simple, quiet, unexpected.
Yet… even in that warmth, even with Mr. Gaurav walking beside me, matching my pace
My heart did something strange.
It replaced him… with Tej.
Why?
Why did I replace him?
It wasn't fair. Mr. Gaurav didn't deserve that.
He was kind. He was thoughtful.
But… my heart still wandered back to a memory.
To a face.
To a boy who once held my hand in a storm.
And I couldn't understand…
Why him, still?